Alaska! Cruise it Your Way

Cruises continue to be the most popular way to visit Alaska.  When our kids were young, we took a family cruise to Alaska.   Royal Caribbean provides a fantastic family cruise experience.  We had a glorious time – RC is my number one cruise recommendation for families.  We took our cruise in July, which is smack in the middle of Alaska Cruise season, which typically May through September.

Now, my husband and I have started thinking we might enjoy another cruise to Alaska.  For this (future) cruise we are considering  something different from the first one.  Here is a bit of what we are thinking about:

A Spring Cruise?  – Yep, the weather will be cooler, sweater or jacket weather, but it will also be drier.  April and May are the driest months in the state.  In addition, cruises at this time tend to be more affordable and definitely less crowded.  Wildlife will be emerging from  hibernation and there is that ONE thing that is at the top of my bucket list – a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

September?  – Fewer kids as they will be back in school.  Just as in the Spring, the crowds are smaller. Mating Season for wildlife begins.  The opportunity to experience the Northern Lights also returns- especially if you choose to take a Cruisetour.  Several different Cruise lines offer them.  Princess Cruises has a wonderful sounding 15 day Cruisetour that combines its wonderful cruise with visits to 5 different National Parks.

October? – This is the tail end of the Alaskan Cruise Season and, as such, there are only a few ships sailing.  The ports are less crowded, the weather is quite a bit cooler and fares are, once again, less expensive.  Holland America, Princess and Norwegian are three that do October sailings.

Have you cruised Alaska?  Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!